Madeeha Syed

Learn about existential crisis and discover how to navigate the cosmic rollercoaster. Meri Sehat offers guidance for overcoming challenges.

Navigating The Cosmic Rollercoaster: What's An Existential Crisis And How Can I Overcome It?

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Mid-Life Crisis In Men: What Does It Look Like Now?

Overview

Middle-aged individuals tend to go through a period where their identity and self-confidence suffer greatly. This is usually between the ages of 30 to 65 years, when these individuals start having to face their growing age as new physical ailments start popping up.&nbsp;

Some feel they have wasted their life so far and it&rsquo;s &lsquo;too late&rsquo; now. There can be a lot of <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/anxiety">anxiety</a>, remorse and sadness associated with it which tends to manifest in drastic decisions that don&rsquo;t really make sense for the kind of person they are.&nbsp;

This phenomenon is termed as midlife crisis. It was first coined in 1965 by Elliot Jacques. It tends to last between three to 10 years in men and two to five years in women. But it can even last only a few months in some individuals.&nbsp; 
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Even though it&rsquo;s mainly associated with ageing, there can be many precipitating factors along with ageing, such as a divorce, work troubles, children maturing and leaving the house, a death of a loved one etc.&nbsp;

This, however, is not a clinical diagnosis and is even thought to be a cultural phenomenon limited to western society. Studies have shown that it might not be as common as it was previously thought to be while there is also little evidence of it in other cultures, such as in Indian and Japanese cultures.&nbsp;

Men tend to go through their midlife crisis at the age of 40 and it is usually preceded by a feeling of inadequacy, being unaccomplished or having to face a crisis such as a parent&rsquo;s or a peer&rsquo;s death. It is also very abundantly portrayed in pop-culture where men are seen to pursue younger women, buying expensive things and being in denial about their receding hairline.&nbsp;

In real life, these clues might not always (mostly never) present.&nbsp; 
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Mid-life Crisis

<ul><li>They tend to turn into mopey individuals with more frequent bouts of sadness requiring alone time to process feelings of loss of control, disappointment and self-pity. Other markers of chronic sadness may also be there such as disturbed sleep, over eating or lack of motivation.&nbsp; </li><li>Other than sadness they might have turbulent moods where one minute they are down and next they are ready to party. These rapidly changing moods are usually the first time you will observe these men on an emotional roller-coaster.&nbsp; </li><li>They tend to become complainers who find fault with everything and have a largely pessimistic view of the world. They will nag everyone around them about the tiniest of things and nothing can ever make them happy. At the root of all this is a lack of satisfaction they tend to feel with their own life and self.&nbsp; </li><li>These men also tend to display poor judgement and might make impulsive decisions or purchases. This can be affected by their turbulent moods as well.&nbsp; </li><li>Some men will inevitably end up using substances to cope and deal with the crisis. This can lead to other poor choices such as gambling.&nbsp; </li><li>These men are also highly irritable in all areas of life. You can find them throwing a tantrum at the office and at home and it’s increasingly obvious that everything tends to frustrate them now.&nbsp; </li><li>Some men might also become withdrawn and give up on their relationships and goals. They stop doing the activities they usually keep themselves busy with and go into hermit mode. There is a sense of boredom with the life they have created for themselves so far and want to run away from it. &nbsp; </li><li>An acute and heightened sense of awareness and self-consciousness about their marital, work, health or economic and social status.&nbsp; </li></ul>These midlife crises usually have a peak after which they end and most people come out on the other side better and changed individuals. They tend to become more comfortable with the new normal and make their peace with it. There will be a re prioritising and refocusing of their perspective but they are ready for the challenge and the next phase of life.&nbsp; So how do these lucky ones navigate something so precarious?&nbsp;

How to Cope

<ul><li>Acknowledge that you have these feelings and they tend to be overwhelming enough to lead you into a crisis.&nbsp; </li><li>Let your partner, colleagues and friends know and reach out for help. Chances are they are also feeling the same way and might have some groundbreaking insight. If nothing, you will at least realise you're not alone in this.&nbsp; </li><li>Accept that it’s completely normal to feel this way and it’s the natural progression of life. It’s just another stage in your growth and it too shall pass.&nbsp; </li><li>Try not to make any big decisions by making sure you consult either your partner or a trusted friend/mentor beforehand. This reduces your chances of making any impulsive decisions you might come to regret later.&nbsp; </li><li>Invest in your physical and mental wellbeing. Join a gym or pick up one physical activity that you enjoy doing and stick with it. Being active also makes you feel better emotionally. Meditation and yoga can also help calm down those recurrent feelings of anxiety.&nbsp; </li><li>Embrace the oncoming changes and appreciate the effect of time on circumstance. Recognise that ageing might not be the worst thing in the world and you can still continue to enjoy life in your older age.&nbsp; </li></ul>

Conclusion

The process of ageing can be daunting and life can seem quite overwhelming at any point in time. Some people tend to suffer through these crises earlier in life, which is happening more and more lately thanks to social media and the impending threat of climate change, food and water shortages and the general upheaval in society.&nbsp;People feel they are not only stuck behind while their peers have progressed and achieved so much more in life, but they also think any effort is futile since the world is ending anyway. This is what we call a ‘quarter life crisis’ which looks almost the same as having a mid-life crisis but in your 20s and 30s.&nbsp;In either scenario, taking a step back and looking at the whole forest instead of the trees might help and calm you down. It’s never too late to make any changes or achieve anything.&nbsp; However, if none of these things work it is likely that you're depressed and can benefit from seeking professional help. Although a midlife crisis is not the same as depression, it can still precipitate it.Recognising that with each stage of life there needs to be a readjustment and you’re more than capable of it can be a huge task. You don’t have to accomplish it alone.&nbsp;Another interesting concept to acknowledge here is that some renowned psychologists have deemed a midlife crisis as the process that leads to self-actualisation, the last need on Maslow’s hierarchy. Integrating all your knowledge, intuition, thoughts and feelings into a newer version of you can be daunting and can rightfully lead to a state of crisis. However, there is hope on the other side of it where your identity achieves a much more solid footing.&nbsp;

Dr. Safia Mehmood

The Abyss Within: Navigating Existential Depression And Finding The Light

&ldquo;What if, every little action that we take is completely meaningless and we are just speckles of dust in the universe?&rdquo;

I think about this every single day. All the restrictions that human society has put on its self for better functioning, what if all of this means nothing at all?

Life, at times, resembles a labyrinthine funhouse of questions. Who am I? What&#39;s the purpose of my existence? Why does any of this matter? Welcome to the puzzling realm of existential depression, where the pursuit of meaning takes the spotlight, and despair lurks in the shadows. Let&#39;s dive into the psychological maze of existential depression, share some whimsical anecdotes, and illuminate the path towards hope. 
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Navigational Strategies

Existential depression, much like a whimsical trip down the rabbit hole, commences with a tumble into the profound world of questioning. It&#39;s that state of mind where we grapple with the stark reality that life doesn&#39;t come with an instruction manual. Picture yourself in a tea party conversation with a Cheshire Cat-like philosopher who ponders, &quot;What is the meaning of meaning?&quot; 
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<h5>The Odyssey Of The Soul</h5>

Joseph Campbell once remarked, &quot;The cave you fear to enter holds the treasure you seek.&quot; In the depths of existential depression, we embark on a hero&#39;s journey, confronting inner demons and grappling with existential dragons. Just as Frodo bore the One Ring to Mount Doom, we shoulder the burden of seeking our purpose in an indifferent universe.

However, most people are led to believe in a bigger goal or a deeper meaning behind every action they take but when you are experiencing existential <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/depression">depression</a>, it all feels useless. You tend to wonder if all ideologies and principles are man-made just to keep our sanity afloat. 
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<h5>Quirky Guides: Existential Philosophers</h5>

Meet our peculiar guides for this journey - the existential philosophers. Sartre, with his ever-present pipe and a &quot;No Exit&quot; sign, reminds us of the intricate nature of human freedom. Camus, the absurdist, insists that we must imagine Sisyphus happy, even as he ceaselessly pushes his boulder. These philosophers become our quirky companions through the maze of existential introspection. 
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<h5>The Eeyore Effect</h5>

Ever encountered someone exhibiting the &quot;Eeyore Effect&quot;? Existential depression often leaves us feeling like Eeyore, the melancholic donkey from Winnie the Pooh, sighing, &quot;What&#39;s the point?&quot; Yet, even Eeyore found hope through his friends. Connection and support can be a lifeline when you&#39;re adrift in the abyss. 
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<h5>Embracing The Cosmic Absurdity</h5>

Embracing the absurdity of existence can be truly liberating. Visualize a conversation between Salvador Dal&iacute; and a rubber duck - as nonsensical as life itself! Amidst the surreal landscapes of existential depression, absurdity can be a life jacket, keeping you buoyant in the sea of despair.

In addition to that, the best way to go is to just let things happen without overthinking it. The moment you start questioning your existence is when you realize that very little matters in this world and your actions along with you will be forgotten so might as well make the best of the little time that we have here in this world. 
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<h5>Seeking Meaning In The Cosmic Chaos</h5>

Existential depression resembles a puzzle without a clear picture on the box. However, like a cosmic detective, we gather clues from our experiences, relationships, and passions. Each piece unveils a fragment of meaning, guiding us toward a deeper understanding of our existence.

Seeking meaning is a very complicated aspect because we all have different thought processes and different things that we deem important enough to live and strive for. You need to find your motivator and the factor that keeps you going. This can definitely be a short-term motivator but everyone requires an ultimate life goal to keep them going. 
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<h5>Navigating The Existential Storm</h5>

Existential depression may feel like a turbulent sea, but mindfulness serves as your anchor. Picture yourself on a boat, serenely riding the waves. Mindfulness teaches us to observe our thoughts and feelings without judgment, helping us find tranquillity amidst the existential tempest. 
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<h5>A Glimpse Of Hope</h5>

In the midst of existential gloom, a glimmer of hope often emerges, akin to stumbling upon a hidden treasure chest in a dark forest. Through therapy, creative endeavours, and cultivating gratitude, we unearth this hope and use it to light our path forward. 
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Bottom Line

Existential depression, with all its intricacies, is an intrinsic facet of the human experience. It&#39;s a journey through the whimsical carnival of our minds, where we wrestle with life&#39;s profound questions. Embrace the absurd, connect with your inner hero, and remember that even in the darkest depths, there&#39;s always a flicker of hope. Let&#39;s enjoy this cosmic carousel ride together, and who knows what wonders we might discover along the way?

Umna Salah

&ldquo;What if we are just a figment of someone&rsquo;s imagination. Maybe we do not even exist or we are little workers in a giant&rsquo;s head&rdquo;, said Zara as she was scrolling on her Instagram and came across a post by NASA of multiple galaxies magnified by El Gordo. This not only makes our own galaxy look tiny compared to others but you cannot even tell which one is ours in that picture. 
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way-out

As kids, we all had the planet system memorized and then all about the Sun being a massive star. As we got older, we got to see those scary photos by scientists of stars like Betelgeuse (900 times the size of the sun) and Mu Cephi (1500 times of the sun) that made our sun look like an insect in front of these stars. Then in 2018 NASA posted a mind-boggling image based on observations by the Hubble Space Telescope and others featuring a whopping number of 15 thousand galaxies.

If this was not enough already to trigger us into questioning our existence they unveiled &ldquo;Webb&rsquo;s First Deep Field&rdquo; image of a galaxy cluster SMAC S 0723 in 2022 and just it hits you like a ton of metaphysical bricks. Who am I? What&#39;s the meaning of life? Why do we exist? Welcome to the exhilarating (and sometimes terrifying) world of an existential crisis! But fear not, fellow cosmic travelers, for we are about to embark on a journey to unravel the mysteries of the universe and find our way out of the existential maze. 
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<h5>Chapter 1: The Existential Enigma Unveiled</h5>

An existential crisis, is like a spiritual whirlwind that sweeps you off your feet and tosses you into the deep abyss of self-doubt and philosophical pondering. It&#39;s that moment when you question your very existence and the purpose of it all. Think of it as a cosmic wake-up call, your mind&#39;s way of saying, &quot;Hey, let&#39;s ponder the big questions!&quot; 
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<h5>Chapter 2: Symptoms Of An Existential Quandary</h5>

Before we dive headfirst into overcoming this cosmic conundrum, let&#39;s identify the symptoms. You might find yourself pondering these questions incessantly, losing interest in things you once enjoyed, experiencing anxiety or <a href="https://merisehat.pk/disease/depression">depression</a>, and feeling a sense of dread about the future. Don&#39;t worry; it&#39;s all part of the cosmic carnival! 
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<h5>Chapter 3: The Cosmic Carousel Of Philosophy</h5>

To understand an existential crisis, it&#39;s essential to hop on the cosmic carousel of philosophy. Meet our philosophical ringmasters - Sartre, Camus, and Kierkegaard. They&#39;ll dazzle you with their ideas on existentialism, absurdism, and existential dread. Embrace these philosophies like a funnel cake at a carnival &ndash; savor every bite! 
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<h5>Chapter 4: Seeking Meaning In The Cosmic Chaos</h5>

Now that we&#39;ve got our philosophical cotton candy, let&#39;s tackle the big question: How do we find meaning in a seemingly meaningless universe? Explore the search for purpose through creativity, relationships, and personal growth. It&#39;s like navigating a maze at a cosmic amusement park, filled with twists, turns, and surprises. 
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<h5>Chapter 5: Embracing The Absurd</h5>

In the existential circus, sometimes the most freeing act is embracing the absurdity of it all. Albert Camus famously said, &quot;The struggle itself is enough to fill a man&#39;s heart.&quot; So, go ahead, laugh at the cosmic joke, and dance in the rain of absurdity. After all, it&#39;s a mad, mad, mad, mad universe! 
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<h5>Chapter 6: The Hero&#39;s Journey</h5>

Remember those epic roller coasters at theme parks? Life is no different. Joseph Campbell&#39;s hero&#39;s journey teaches us that confronting our existential crisis can transform us into heroes of our own story. Embrace your inner Jedi, Frodo, or Wonder Woman, and embark on your cosmic quest for self-discovery. 
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<h5>Chapter 7: The Power Of Mindfulness</h5>

Amidst the chaos of the cosmic carnival, mindfulness becomes our guiding star. Learn to live in the present moment, savor the cosmic cotton candy, and ride the existential roller coaster with grace and composure. Mindfulness is the cosmic seatbelt that keeps us grounded in the face of uncertainty. 
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<h5>Chapter 8: Connect With Cosmic Companions</h5>

Remember, you&#39;re not alone in this cosmic circus. Reach out to fellow cosmic travelers &ndash; friends, family, or even a therapist. Share your thoughts, fears, and joys. Forming meaningful connections can be the cosmic glue that holds us together in times of existential turbulence. 
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<h5>Chapter 9: The Cosmic Toolbox</h5>

In our quest to overcome the existential crisis, we&#39;ve assembled a cosmic toolbox. Fill it with journaling, meditation, reading, creative pursuits, and physical activities. These tools will help you navigate the cosmic carnival with resilience and purpose. 
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<h5>Chapter 10: Embrace The Journey</h5>

As we wrap up our cosmic adventure, remember that an existential crisis is not a curse but a rite of passage. It&#39;s a ticket to the grandest show in the universe &ndash; the quest for meaning. So, put on your cosmic cape and ride the existential roller coaster with courage, curiosity, and a sense of wonder. 
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Congratulations, dear readers! You&#39;ve made it through the cosmic carnival, armed with wisdom, insights, and a dash of quirkiness. Embrace the existential mysteries, dance with the absurd, and journey into the unknown. The universe is your playground, and your existential crisis is merely the opening act of your epic adventure. So, go forth, explore, and make meaning in this wondrous cosmic circus we call life!